Woman who defrauded Edgar Davids makes 'fractured skull' claim as sentencing delayed again

A woman who pleaded guilty to defrauding Edgar Davids over his £188,000 art collection has had her sentencing delayed again after claiming to have suffered a fractured skull.

Nabila Habiby, 39, is yet to be sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of fraud relating to artworks belonging to the former Netherlands and Tottenham star.

Her latest absence prompted scepticism from the judge after questions were raised over the medical evidence provided to the court.

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Nabila Habiby's 'fractured skull' claim delays Edgar Davids fraud sentencing

The former Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder entrusted Habiby to safely store his £188,000-valued artworks during a move from Barnet to central London in 2014.

She pled guilty to two counts of fraud in 2025, and has failed to appear in court since. On September 4, Habiby missed her planned sentencing hearing after claiming to have been hit on the head.

That injury was supposedly inflicted by a piece of luggage, while the 39-year-old was travelling from the UK to Belgium, she told Wood Green Crown Court.

On September 23, the delayed sentencing hearing was again adjourned, after Habiby revealed to the judge she was receiving treatment for a fractured skull.

The 39-year-old’s story changed with this claim, with her injury having now been sustained after being hit by a car’s tailgate, provoking skepticism from the judge.

Regarding the doctor’s note that Habiby provided, Judge Jones said: “ “It is not on headed notepaper, it could have been typed by absolutely anyone. This is a fraud case. Is she really ill?”

Habiby, whose barrister Adithi Shenava claimed to be “very sick,” was unable to attend court due to a medical appointment in Belgium.

“We don’t have any doubt she is telling the truth,” said Shenava, who spoke with the 39-year-old via phone call.

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Judge questions medical evidence after latest court absence

Habiby claims to have surgery planned for October 6, prompting Judge Jones to adjourn the sentencing hearing until November 18. He also insisted on receiving a formal doctor’s note on headed notepaper, suggesting that Belgian police may need to “investigate the veracity of the documents that have been coming from the defendant.”

Judge Jones said: “I’m sorry if I am sounding sceptical. This might be unfair, and this might be just another very unfortunate accident.

“But we do need to progress this case, and she can’t put off the inevitable day forever.” Once Habiby is sentenced, it will be more than five years since the 39-year-old was charged for disposing of Davids’ artworks.

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